The Maldives will become the first country to receive the Indian COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday The Maldives will become the first country to receive the Indian COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. The Indian Ocean island country will receive Oxford Astrazeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India. The Maldives government has given all regulatory approvals and permissions. The Indian consignment will arrive at 2 pm local time by Air India flight at Velana International Airport Malé. The development reaffirms India's reputation as the first responder in an emergency situation, especially in the neighbourhood. Maldives has been the largest COVID-19 assistance recipient in India’s neighbourhood including medicine supply, food supply, medical team, training, and financial assistance of $250 million. Under the operation Sanjeevani, the Indian Air force airlifted 6.3 tonnes of essential medicines and consumables from various cities in India in April 2020.